Steelers Now
There are very big expectations for two of the Pittsburgh Steelers’s second-year players during the 2025 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will need several of their young players to step up in 2025 if they hope to finally end their eight-year postseason win drought. Luckily for the Steelers, that’s exactly what many around the league think will happen.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com recently made a list of offensive breakout players to watch in 2025 and two of Pittsburgh’s second-year players cracked the list.
The first is offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
“He has a chance to earn Pro Bowl consideration as a first-time starter, thanks to his exceptional talent and polished technique,” Brooks writes. “He is a natural edge blocker with the balance, body control and lateral quickness to effectively shadowbox pass rushers in space. With Aaron Rodgers poised to throw the ball all over the yard behind a young and dynamic offensive line, the second-year tackle could reap the rewards from dominating his matchups in the spotlight.”
The Steelers selected Fauntau with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, his rookie season was cut short after just one game, after a freak knee injury cost him the rest of the 2024 season.
Fautanu did have injury concerns coming out of Washington, but the injury that cost him his rookie season wasn’t related to those concerns, a freak dislocation of his kneecap thanks to a missed step.
He will now make the return at right tackle, where Pittsburgh is hoping he can become a stalwart for many years to come.
The other player to crack the list is center Zach Frazier.
“Frazier earned high marks for his work as a rookie starter, snagging Pro Football Focus’ fifth-highest offensive grade among centers in 2024,” Brooks writes. “Now, Aaron Rodgers’ arrival at QB will put the spotlight squarely on the former second-round selection, whose talent might be even more appreciated if he displays it while playing in front of a four-time MVP. From Frazier’s rugged play as a run-blocker to his quick hands and stout “short sets” in pass protection, he possesses the tools to emerge as a perennial Pro Bowler in Pittsburgh.”
The Steelers selected Frazier with their second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which may turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
He gave up just one sack and 12 pressures while starting 15 games for Pittsburgh last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Frazier was also named to the 2024 PFWA All-Rookie Team, the Pro Football Writers Association announced in January.
The Steelers are hoping he can pick up right where he left off.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Two Steelers Named to 2025 All-Breakout Team
